Interviews were conducted with the wardens of the 13 approved hostels in the area, and data were collected on 175 residents, 111 of whom had been granted bail to reside at the hostel. Results indicate that typical hostel residents on straight bail are likely to be young and not living in a family home or other settled accommodation. Less than half had more than three convictions, a significant number had been involved with drugs or had drinking histories, and many exhibited various social problems with which hostel placement was expected to help. Hostels varied in the amount of control exerted over residents, although most had some sort of key worker system in which each resident is allocated a staff member who monitors his or her progress and helps with legal and financial problems. Referrals are usually made by the court probation officers. While legally, hostels are limited in whom they can reject; most do consider such factors as history of violence or arson and addiction (alcohol, drug, gambling) in their acceptance decisions. Most also prefer not to accept residents with very disturbed psychiatric histories. 17 references.